I am pretty sure I can remember the day my brother brought this album home. Most of my albums that shaped what I think about music were from his collection, before he moved away in 1978. It was all there. Nazareth, Meatloaf, Molly Hatchet, The Cars… Just a great mix of rock and pop to cover the gammit.
And then he got this album. He made a cassette and played it in his truck. I wore the grooves through the album practicing every song, listening to the crowd cheer. Bun E looked a little square, not your typical Rock and Roll guy. He was no Peter Criss. He wasn’t a Phil Ehart… But he absolutely POUNDED on those drums. It was like the best of the 50’s and early 60’s rock, amped up to 11.
Slight rhythm changes, simple yet powerful fills, and the super-uber casual look, complete with cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He was cool in his own way, and he bridged the gap between the 50’s style drum beats that my instructor was teaching me, and the rock and roll of that day.
There were a lot of days this album, and Heaven Tonight were played over and over again till I was too tired to play, or chores needed to be done. Ahh, for those days again!
Bun E Carlos. No, not a singing drummer. But definitely played a part in the style of hitting that I hear in my head.
And if i go all over the world
I wouldn’t find another lover like you
And if i knew a million girls, Caroline…..